Deborah Lynne Roberts, accused of deaths of 71 cattle south of Alice Springs, has hearing date set
The woman allegedly responsible for the deaths of more than 70 cows in a government facility south of Alice Springs will fight to prove her innocence later this year. Find out when.
Northern Territory
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A three day court battle is set to hear “expert evidence” from the defence lawyers of a woman who is allegedly behind the deaths of more than 70 cattle in the Red Centre.
Deborah Lynne Roberts, 55, has been charged under the 2018 Animal Protection Act for the deaths of 71 cattle at the Arid Zone Research Institute in March 2023.
She first fronted Alice Springs Local Court in December, where lawyer Michael Penman pleaded not guilty on her behalf to charges of cruelty to animals and minimum level of care.
Her matter was back before the court on Thursday – with Ms Roberts excused from attending – where Mr Penman told Judge Anthony Hopkins the defence intended to call on “expert evidence”.
“We’re in the process of getting an expert and we’ll need to have a report served upon prosecution,” Mr Penman told the court.
No further details were given on who – or what – the expert evidence might be.
Ms Roberts was charged in November 2024 after a year-long investigation by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade was referred to police.
Police alleged during a 10 day period in March, 2023, 71 cattle were not checked on, nor were they given access to drinking water.
The cause of death of the cattle was determined to be “dehydration due to prolonged water deprivation”, police said when Ms Roberts was first charged.
Police said the 71 animals were located “deceased or dying” in the Arid Zone Research Institute, a NT government facility 20km south of Alice Springs.
Ms Roberts was previously listed as the farm manager of the Arid Zone Research Institute by the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Judge Hopkins set a three day hearing for the matter, to begin on November 5.
A case management inquiry date was set for June 5.
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Originally published as Deborah Lynne Roberts, accused of deaths of 71 cattle south of Alice Springs, has hearing date set
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